How to Survive Your First Date

Reese Robers

Directed by

A dark parody of 1950s instructional films, where Dotty and her date Darryl try to survive against the voyeuristic narrator manipulating them.

Directed by

Reese Robers

2023

8:46 mins

United States of America

Feb 25, 2023

In Competition

2023

Directed and written by Reese Robers, this inventive short film is a creative and dark parody that takes inspiration from 1950s-era instructional films. The plot centers on two characters, Dotty and her date, Darryl, played by Sara Drewry and Charles Meidlinger, as they attempt to navigate the social pitfalls of a first date. However, the film subverts the traditional instructional format by introducing a voyeuristic and manipulative narrator. This unseen presence acts as an antagonist, turning the ostensibly simple act of dating into a high-stakes scenario where the characters must "survive" the narrator's controlling influence.

As a narrative short, the film stands out for its unique concept and stylistic commitment to mimicking old black-and-white educational footage, using this familiar framework to explore themes of social pressure, external control, and the anxious experience of dating under scrutiny.

Director, Writer, Producer
Reese Robers

Cast
Sara Drewry — Dotty
Charles Meidlinger — Darryl

Editor
Reese Robers
Otto Tyler

Cinematographer
Otto Tyler

Associate Producer
James Lee

A dark parody of 1950s instructional films, where Dotty and her date Darryl try to survive against the voyeuristic narrator manipulating them.

About
Reese Robers

Reese started making films in the tenth grade, and since then, she has absolutely fallen in love with the process. She especially enjoyed mimicking distinct styles of film, which he aimed to do with How to Survive Your First Date and its 1950's instructional video format, so that its twist could be as surprising and impactful as possible given its source material.